In a recent study of cancer patients’ perspectives across Canada, 40 per cent indicated they experienced financial burden due to their cancer, and 33 per cent rated that burden as high.1
Wellspring is highly attuned to this unfortunate reality, and offers a program that brings relief to those whose health challenges are compounded by financial difficulties: Money Matters.
Money Matters is a one-on-one program designed to assist cancer patients and their families in navigating the resources, paperwork and issues related to finances and employment. The highly sought-after program provides information and support in a comprehensive range of areas including income replacement, drug coverage, returning to work, insurance, community resources and estate information.
Money Matters also offers free clinics with individualized appointments on Wills and Estates, Financial Advice, Long-Term Disability and Employment Law, and Income Tax. All clinics have specific eligibility criteria. Like all Wellspring programs, Money Matters is offered free of charge and with no referral required.
2019 Money Matters Program Highlights:
- 159 individuals participated in Money Matters, totalling 319 appointments.
- With the assistance of Money Matters, individuals accessed $187,000 in federal and provincial government benefits, workplace insurance programs, and private insurance programs.
- Members saved nearly $10,000 in service fees through Wellspring Calgary’s free clinics.
New in 2020
- In a collaborative partnership with Calgary Zone Social Work Professional Practice Council, Wellspring Calgary’s Money Matters team provides AHS social workers with resource packages on income replacement programs including Alberta Works Income Support, AISH, CPP, and EI. Packages include program overviews, eligibility requirements, asset and income information, payment amounts, as well as program changes and updates.
- In September, 160 social workers affiliated with AHS attended the first of a four-part Money Matters webinar series on income replacement programs. In November, the second webinar had 231. Each of the one-hour presentations focuses on a specific income replacement program. The series runs until the end of the year.
- In October the Money Matters program provided a full-day training session on income replacement programs via Zoom to the South Calgary Primary Care Network.
For more information or to book a phone appointment with Money Matters call 587-747-0260 ext. 1006 or email meghanh@wellspringcalgary.ca
Wellspring’s Money Matters program is generously supported by:
Michael and Heather Culbert & Family and Anonymous Donors.
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[1] M.I. Fitch, Longo, C.J., Chan, R.J. Cancer patients’ perspectives on financial burden in a universal healthcare system: Analysis of qualitative data from participants from 20 provincial cancer centers in Canada, Patient Educ Couns (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j. pec.2020.08.013
